2015 Heart of a Giant Award

The USA Football Heart of a Giant award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants recognizes high school football players in the Tri-State area for their unparalleled work ethic and passion for the game of football.

The 2015 winner is a senior from Roosevelt High School in Long Island, Chukwuma Ukwu.

Ukwu was recognized for his commitment, determination, will, character and teamwork in the local community. Some of the initiatives Ukwu has started at his high school include: a student group that is currently collecting toys for children with cerebral palsy, bringing back alumni to speak with seniors, and a mentoring program between the high school and middle school students, just to name a few.

"It was an honor to help present Chukwuma Ukwu with the Heart of a Giant Award this year. Hundreds of applications were accepted from over 500 schools in the Tri-State area in search of someone who uses their love of football to overcome personal adversity and inspire their peers on and off the field. His passion to help others, tireless work ethic, and unrelenting dedication to his community are only matched by his humility. Standing there listening to him accept the award on behalf of everyone else who helped him get there, I found myself smiling and in awe of this incredible young man. As the official hospital of the New York Giants, Hospital for Special Surgery has been a proud sponsor of the Heart of a Giant Award since 2014 and congratulates Chukwuma for his accomplishments. Football offers many unique opportunities on and off the field, as Giants running back Rashad Jennings noted, and some people like Chukwuma do great things with those opportunities and inspire others along the way." - Dr. Samuel Taylor, Sports medicine surgeon